Electrical connector



y 1940? H. w. BODENDIECK .2 .380

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 12, 1938 Jfizzfg Wfiadezadzeo/ Lew 57%ParentedMa m, 1940 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Henry W. Bodendieck,Taylorville, Ill., assignor to Tips Tool (70., Centralia, -Mo., acorporation of Missouri Application November 12, 1938, Serial No.239,912

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to electrical connectors and isparticularly concerned with tapoff clamps adapted to be used foreifecting a connection between high tension electrical transmission ordistribution lines and other electrical devices.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improvedtap-off clamp of the type adapted to be applied to a high tension lineby means of a clamp stickwhich is of such simple structure that it isadapted to be manufactured at a very low cost, yet which is also adaptedto be utilized with various sizes of main conductors and tap-oil wires.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved tap-offclamp of the class described, which is so constructed that by means of asingle threaded member the gripping member of the clamp may be opened orclosed for simultaneously clamping both the jumper wire and. the mainconductor.

Another object of my invention is to provide supports to the ordinaryparallel groove clamp,

' thereby controlling or limiting the downward movement of one end ofthe lower jaw to permit the opposite or free end of the jaw to open toallow easy application to a transmission line and to effect properpositioning of the controlling lug into the end of the operating stickfor unitary rotation of the clamp and clamp stick, and at the same timeprovide a temporary holding means for a tap-off wire. I am aware ofvarious parallel groove clamps now on the market, but none with thesupport limiting the movement of one end of the movable jaw which makesthis clamp safely usable for applying tap-off wires and jumpers toenergized lines with the ordinary live line clamp stick.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a tap-off clamp ofthe class described, which is provided with a controlling threadedmember for effecting the clamping action and with means for engaging theclamp stick comprising a depending lug by means of which the clamp stickmay be locked or unlocked and by means of which the tap-off clamp may betwisted, if necessary, to effect alignment of the clamp with the mainwire, even though the jumper wire must be bent.

- Another object of the invention is the provision of an improvedtap-off clamp of the class described, which is provided with aninterchangeable screw so that the clamp may be used with any type ofclamp stick.

Another object is the provision of an improved tap-off clamp havingmeans for locking the operating screw .in place so that the clamp willnot be loosened after it has once been placed in position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved tap-offclamp structure, the body 5 and jaw of which are adapted to beconstructed either from a casting or a stamping so that the clamp can bemanufactured at a minimum cost and placed within the means of a largernumber of the purchasing public. 10

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved tap-offclamp structure which is adapted to be constructed of such metal thatgalvanic action between the clamp and the wires usually used for mainwires is reduced to a minimum, thereby preventing its corrosion, such astakes place on clamps of the prior art and maintaining a betterconnectionwith the devices constructed according to the invention.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawing, in which similarcharacters indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the single sheet of drawings accompanying thisspecification:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a tap-01f clamp constructed accordingto the invention shown in connection with a main wire and a tapoff wire;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view with the wires in section and theclamp in open position, showing a clamp stick also;

Fig. '3 is a vertical sectional View, taken on a vertical plane 3-3 ofFig. 4 passing through the axis of the accompanying screw, with thescrew in elevation and the clamp in clamping position; 1

Fig. 4 is a vertical section, taken on the plane of the line 4-4 of Fig.3, looking in the direction of the arrows; 40

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view of a modification in which the screwis provided with a hexagonal head; and

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of a modification which isconstructed of sheet metal by stamping operations.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, l0 indicates in its entirety the new tap-offclamp which is shown in connection with a main wire I l of a hightension line and a jumper wire I2. The tap-off clamp preferablycomprises three main parts, such as the actuating screw l3 and the twoclamping members l4 and 15, the upper one of which, I 4, may beconsidered a fixed clamping member as its position is determined byengagement with the main wire l l, and the lower one of which, l5, maybe considered as a pivoted or movable clamping member.

The screw [3 preferably comprises a metal member having a threaded shankl6 carried by a head IT and having a radially extending thrust flange l8between the head and the threaded portion 6. The head I! may be of thescrew eye type, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and 6, or of hexagonal shape,as shown at 19 in Fig. 5. The shape, structure and size of the heads I!and H] are such that the tap-01f clamp is adapted to be operated byordinary clamp sticks now on the market.

The thrust flange I8 is provided with a flat thrust surface 20 on theside toward the threaded portion I6 for engagement with the pivotedclamping member l5, and a lock washer 2| of the type having a centralcircular body 22 and radially extending locking flanges 23 withdownwardly extending sharp edges 24 formed by twisting the flanges 23,is interposed between the pivoted clamping member and the thrust surface20. The sharp edges of the lock washer 2| bite into the thrust surfaceand into the engaging portions of the clamping member I5 and hold thescrew against turning backward to opened or loosened condition. The lockwasher assures the holding of the clamp in tight condition irrespectiveof any vibration or movement of either of the wires H or l2 to which itis applied.

The lower or movable pivoted clamping member l5 comp-rises a metalmember provided with a pair of spaced vertical body flanges 25, 26 whichmay be substantially rectangular in crosssection and which are spaced bythe intermediate slot 21 of such a size that it is adapted to receivethe threaded shank [6 of the screw I3 with a suitable clearance. Thelength of the slot 2'! in the clamping member 15 is such as to permit amaximum amount of rocking movement and also to save metal. Thus, theslot 21 extends at the left of Fig. 3 to the surface 28 and at the rightto the surface 29, which surfaces slope upwardly radially toward animaginary rocking center of the clamping member [5.

At the rear or left end in Fig. 3 the clamping member I5 has itsvertical flanges and 26 joined by a yoke 36 which also serves as theengaging member for the jumper wire l2. Therefore the yoke 39 isprovided with partially concave engaging surface M for engaging thejumper wire, the latter serving as a pivot for the movement of theclamping member IS. The yoke 38 is provided with lateral pivotalextensions 32, 33 which extend beyond the exterior surfaces of thevertical body flanges 25 and 26 and are adapted to be received in theapertures 3 3, 35 formed in the fixed or upper clamping body Hi.

The extensions 32, 33 are formed substantially like a portion of anannulus with rounded edges at 36, 31. The lower convexly curved surface38 of each extension is adapted to have pivotal engagement with thebottom 39 of the apertures 3 or 35 when the clamp is wholly open andready to receive a jumper wire l2. The thickness of the body of eachextension 32 or 33 is such, in respect to the size of the apertures 34or 35, that there is still room enough in the apertures above theextensions 32 or 33 for any size or jumper wire which is apt to be used.The width of each extension 32, 33 is such that it has a clearance withrespect to the sides M of each aperture 34, 35,

so that the clamping member may pivot freely upon the extensions 32, 33.

At the opposite end of the clamping member 15 the side flanges 25 and 26are joined by a second yoke 42 having a forwardly extending arm 43 and adownwardly extending lug 44. The lug 44 is adapted to be engaged in aslot in a rotating cap carried by the clamp stick for the purpose ofrotating the cap from left to right, or vice versa, with respect to thestick by turning movement on the lower end of the stick, the cap beingheld in fixed position by means of the clamp and its main wire ll. Whenthe clamp is in locked condition, the slot mentioned and lug M and thestops with which the clamp stick cap is provided, may also be used forexerting a rotative force on the tap-off clamp Ill to bend the jumperwire l2 and bring the clamp into position to engage the wire II.

The present tap-off clamp is adapted to be applied to an energized wireby means of a clamp stick of the type shown in my prior applicationSerial No. 23,957, filed May 28, 1935, and the description of the clampstick enclosed in said application is hereby incorporated by referencethereto. The yoke 42 of the lower movable clamping member I5 is alsoprovided with an upwardly convex surface 45 located below the main wireH, in such position to engage the main wire H. The surfaces 3| and 45 onthe movable clamping member l5 may be provided with surface slots and/orteeth for increasing the holding capacity of these surfaces against thewires II and H2.

The upper edges of the side flanges 25 and 26 may be substantially fiat,as indicated at 46, and depressed below the wire engaging surfaces 3|and 25 so as to eliminate interference between this portion of themovable clamping member i5 and the inner surface M of the upper clamp.The lower edges of the body flanges 25 and 26 of the movable clamp [5are convexly curved at 48 for pivotal engagement with the thrust surface20 and lock washer 2| when the screw [3 is actuated to drive the clampinto clamping position. It will also be observed that the depth of thebody flanges 25 and 26 is increased at the middle of the clamping memberl5 where the greatest stress is placed upon the clamping member by meansof the screw l3.

The upper or fixed clamping member l4 also comprises a netal body whichmay be made of cast metal or sheet metal. A sheet metal embodiment isshown in Fig. 6.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, the upper clamping r member has a central andrelatively thick body portion 50 which is provided with a pair ofupwardly and downwardly projecting side flanges El, 52. The upwardlyprojecting portions 53 of the flanges 5i and 52 serve as reinforcingmemhere for increasing the strength of the fixed clamping member IA.

The downwardly extending portions 54 of the side flanges 5| and 52 areadapted to serve as guides for maintaining the alignment of the lowerclamping member l5 with the coacting clamping surfaces on the upperclamping member M. The depending flange portions 54 are spaced from eachother a distance suitable to receive the lower clamping member l5 and toprovide a generous clearance 55 which may be necessary in the cast metalembodiment for the insertion of the movable clamping member 5 with itsextensions 32, 33 into the apertures 34, 35, by tilting the movableclamping member I5.

In the sheet metal embodiment this clearance may be eliminated as theside flanges 54 may be pressed over or bent together during theassemblyof the two clamping members, thereby eliminating any necessityfor tilting of the movable clamping member in its insertion. The sideflanges 5t of the fixed clamping member I4 are also provided at the leftor rear end with the enlarged apertures 33, 35, the apertures being inalignment with each other and of a width suitable toreceive the pivotalextensions 32, 33.

Apertures 34 and 35 each may have a bottom 39 which contributes tosupport or hinge the movable clamp member I5 to the extensions 32 and33, which permits the free end of movable clamp member I5 to continue inits downward movement, as the screw I3 is rotated in a direction to openthe clamp members to receive the wire I I, thus allowing easyapplication to a transmission line and to effect proper positioning ofthe controlling lug 44 into the end of the operating stick to effectunitary rotation of the clamp and clamp stick and at the same timeprovide temporary holding means for the tap-off wire. The apertures 34and 35 have side walls ll and a pair of diagonally upwardly extendingtop walls 56, 51, making the top of each aperture of substantially Vshape. Thus, the jumper wire I2 is adapted to be centered in the V shapetop portion of each aperture 34, to which position it is pressed by thelower clamping member I5. The length of the apertures 34, 35 in thevertical direction in Fig. 2 is such as to provide ample room for anysize jumper wire which might be used and the excess space is taken up bythe upward movement of the clamping member I5 under the influence of thescrew member I3.

The forward end of the fixed clamping member I4, that is, the right sideof Figs. 2 and 3, is provided with a hook-like extension 58 having a V-shaped trough as on its lower side located above the convex cableengaging surface d5 of the lower clamp I5. The V-shaped trough 59 is ofsufficient size to receive any size of main wire or cable with which theclamp is to be used and the extension 58 is preferably provided with adepending substantially vertical lip or flange 60 serving also to retainthe cable II in the trough 59. The central body portion 50 of the upperclamping member I4 is provided with a centrally located bore 63 which isthreaded to receive the threaded end l6 of the screw I3.

Referring to Fig. 6, this is an embodiment which has all of the elementspreviously described with respect to the cast metal embodiment of Figs.1 to 5. It also may be-constructed in the screw eye type or hexagonalhead type. In this embodiment the sheet metal body portion 59 of theupper clamp may be provided with sufficient metal to withstand thestresses placed upon the threads by the screw member I3. Thereafter anordinary metal nut III is provided on the upper side of the upperclamping member I I of thisembodiment and is housed between the sideflanges 53 thereof. The nut It may be spot welded at ll to the main bodyof the upper clamping member I4 to hold it in place and the nutsupplements the holding action of the threaded bore I2 in the body ofthe upper clamping member I4.

The lower clamping member may be substantially as previously described,except the yoke 30 is provided with a depending reinforcing flange I3and both of the clamping members of the sheet metal embodiment (Fig. 6)are formed by stamping operations. In all of the embodiments thethreaded member I 3 preferably has its upper and outer end deformed asat I4 after assembly of the parts, so that the screw cannot be removeddue to the deformation of the threads at the end of the screw. Thus,there is no possibility of any of the parts becoming lost.

The mode of use and operation of the tap-off clamp is as follows. Thejumper wire I2 is inserted through the apertures 34, 35 and its extremeend is bent laterally at right angles so that the jumper wire cannotagain be removed without straightening that portion of the wire. Thejumper wire I2 is also preferably bent downward at right angles as at 65on the other side of the clamp, in order that the jumper wire I2 mayextend in a direction downward away from the wire I I to which the clampis to be attached and the tap-off clamp is secured to the jumper wire bythe bent portions thereof, so that it cannot become disconnected fromthe jumper wire.

At'this point the clamp is in the open position of Fig. 2 and theopening at the point 66 (Fig. 2) is large enough to receive any mainwire with which the clamp is intended to be used. The pivotal extensions32 and 33 are then resting on the bottom of apertures 34 and 35, whichunbalances the movable jaw, permitting the free end to continue to openup to receive wire I I as shown in Fig. 2. The screw eye IT or hexagonalhead I9 is placed in an appropriate clamp stick head, as described in myprior application above mentioned, and locked therein by turning the capof the clamp stick. The opposite end of the jumper wire I2 is attachedto the desired electrical apparatus or to ground, if intended to be usedfor that purpose, and thereafter the clamp is in condition to 'beapplied to the wire II. This is done by lifting the clamp upward bymeans of the clamp stick, the eye H or head I9 being locked in the clampstick and the lower side 67 of the screw flange I8 resting on the topend of the clamp stick head. In this condition the screw threadedportion I6 holds the upper clamping member above the lower clampingmember, the latter resting on the thrust flange surface 28 with thetrough 59 open at 66 to receive the wire I I.

The lug M then depends into a slot, such as the slot I8 of my priorapplication clamp stick, in such manner that by means of the clamp stickthe tap-off clamp III may be twisted if necessary to bring the trough 59into alignment with the wire I I, whereupon the clamp is placed over thewire and by pulling down on the clamp stick the wire is driven up intothe V-shaped trough 59. The downward pull upon the clamp stick thenenables the operator to cause the eye I? or head I?! to engagecomplementary shoulders in the clamp stick head so that by pulling downon the clamp stick and turning it toward the right, the screw I3 isactuated to drive the clamping members I4 and [5 together. During thismovement the lower clamping member I5 pivots about the wire i2 which itfirst engages and the lower clamping member I5 is simultaneously driveninto tight clamping engagement with both the wires II and I2.

Thereafter the clamp stick may be pushed upward to engage the lug 44 andthe cap being held by the lug M, the stick may be rotated relative tothe cap to unlock the clamp stick from the head of thescrew and theclamp stick may be removed, leaving the clamp on the wire.

III.

. vanized The specific structure of the clamp having the lateralextensions 32-33 resting on the bottom of the apertures 36' and 35specifically limits the amount of opening of the clamping member withrespect to the V-shaped groove 56, El. It it were not for this structureit would be a very diflicult matter to apply this clamp to a wire with ahigh line clamp stick, because the movable jaw might otherwise open uptoo far on the jumper side of the clamp and release the jumper wire. Thepresent tap-off clamp is adapted to assure retainment of the jumper wirein the clamp at all times while the clamp is being manipulated andplaced upon the line wire.

The present tap-off clamp maybe constructed of brass, if desired, but Iprefer to construct the tap-off clamp of any sheet material having highelectrical conductivity and provided with a steel nut, the completeclamping members being galafter construction. In some embodiments theclamping members may be made of sheet iron or sheet steel andgalvanized. I find that there is little or no galvanic action betweenthe zinc covering used for galvanizing and the aluminum wires used forhigh tension transmission lines, and thus there is practically notendency toward the corrosion of the connector due to galvanic action,which is experienced with the devices of the prior art not having thisgalvanizing coating. The result is a better contact for alonger periodof time and a more durable electrical connector is thus provided.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an improved tap-ofl clampwhich may be constructed either of castings or stampings and in eithercase the tap-ofi clamp involves the use of a minimum number of parts anda single threaded member. In the case of the sheet metal constructionmade by stamping, the tap-off clamp members involve a minimum amount ofmachine work as the threaded member may be provided by spot welding anut of ordinary construction purchased on the open market, to one or theother of the clamping members.

My tap-ofl clamp may be used with jumper wires or main wires of varioussizes, large and small, and is adapted to be applied by the use ofordinary clamp sticks of the prior art. When it is galvanized asdescribed, corrosion is resisted and a better connection secured for alonger period of time than with any of the devices of the prior art.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited to the specific details shown,but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of theappended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a tap-01f clamp for transmission lines, the combination of athreaded member having a clamp-stick-engaging head, a thrust surface,and a threaded shank, with a metal clamping body comprising a metalmember having a centrally located threaded bore, a pair ofconductorreceiving grooves on the opposite sides of said bore insubstantially parallel relation to each other, formed in said body, apair of guide flanges carried by opposite sides of said body, and saidguide flanges extending transversely to said grooves, each of said guideflanges being provided with apertures communicating with one of saidgrooves, and a clamping member comprising a metal member having a pairof substantially parallel spaced flanges, said flanges being joinedtogether at each. end by transversely extending wire-engaging portions,said portions bein spaced from each other, and said threaded shank beinglocated between said portions and said latter parallel flanges, one ofsaid wireengaging portions being elongated and extending into theapertures of the first-mentioned parallel flanges, wherein they arepivotally mounted, and the'second-mentioned parallel flanges engagingsaid thrust surface.

2. In a tap-off clamp for transmission lines, the combination of athreaded member having a clamp-stick-engaging head, a thrust surface,and a threaded shank, with a metal clamping body comprising a metalmember having a centrally located threaded bore, a pair ofconductor-receiving grooves on the opposite sides of said bore insubstantially parallel relation to each other, formed in said body, apair of guide flanges carried by opposite sides of said body, and saidguide flanges extending transversely to said grooves, each of said guideflanges being provided with apertures communicating with one of saidgrooves, and a clamping member comprising a metal member having a pairof substantially parallel spaced flanges, said flanges being joinedtogether at each end by transversely extending Wire-engaging portions,said portions being spaced from each other, and said threaded shankbeing located between said portions and said latter parallel flanges,one of said wire-engaging portions being elongated and extending intothe apertures of the first-mentioned parallel flanges, wherein they arepivotally mounted, and the second-mentioned parallel flanges engagingsaid thrust surface, said second-mentioned parallel flanges beingprovided with convexly curved surfaces for pivotal movement on saidthrust surface.

3. In a tap-ofl clamp for transmission lines, the combination of athreaded member having a clamp-stick-engaging head, a thrust surface,and a threaded shank, with a metal clamping body comprising a metalmember having a centrally located threaded bore, a pair ofconductor-receiving grooves on the opposite sides of said bore insubstantially parallel relation to each other, formed in said body, apair of guide flanges carried by opposite sides of said body, and saidguide flanges extending transversely to said grooves, each of said guideflanges being provided with apertures communicating with one of saidgrooves, and a clamping member comprising a metal member having a pairof substantially parallel spaced flanges, said flanges being joinedtogether at each end by transversely extending wire-engaging portions,said portions being spaced from each other, and said threaded shankbeing located between said portions and said latter parallel flanges,one of said wire-engaging portions being elongated and extending f intothe apertures of the first-mentioned parallel flanges, wherein they arepivotally mounted, and the second-mentioned parallel flanges engagingsaid thrust surface, said body having a standard nut fixedly secured toits outer side, with its threaded bore in registry with the threadedbore in said body.

4. In a tap-oif clamp for transmission lines, the combination of athreaded member having a clamp-stick-engaging head, a thrust surface,and a threaded shank, with a metal clamping body comprising a metalmember having a centrally located threaded bore, a pair ofconductor-receiving grooves on the opposite sides of said bore insubstantially parallel relation to and said guide flanges extendingtransversely to said grooves, each of said guide flanges being providedwith apertures communicating with one of said grooves, and a clampingmember comprising a metal member having a pair of substantially parallelspaced flanges, said flanges being joined together at each end bytransversely extending wire-engaging portions, said portions beingspaced from each other, and said threaded shank being located betweensaid portions and said latter parallel flanges, one of said wireengagingportions being elongated and extending into the apertures of thefirst-mentioned parallel flanges, wherein they are pivotally mounted,and the second-mentioned parallel flanges engaging said thrust surface,said clamping'member also having a downwardly extending lug forengagement with actuating shoulders carried by a clamping stick.

HENRY W. BODENDIECK.

